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Effects of the dimensions of ethnocentrism on consumer ethnocentrism: An examination of multiple mediators

Boris Bizumic (Research School of Psychology, The Australian National University, Canberra, Australia)

International Marketing Review

ISSN: 0265-1335

Article publication date: 18 December 2018

Issue publication date: 15 August 2019

3412

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to investigate, theoretically and empirically, the role of the six dimensions of reconceptualized ethnocentrism in consumer ethnocentrism. The paper investigates both direct and indirect effects of the six dimensions on consumer ethnocentrism, through four theoretically meaningful mediators: nationalism, ethnic ingroup positivity, national ingroup positivity and prejudice against foreigners.

Design/methodology/approach

This study has used primary data collected from 304 US citizens through online surveys, including measures of demographics, ethnocentrism, consumer ethnocentrism, nationalism and attitudes toward ethnic ingroups, national ingroups and foreigners. Correlational, sequential multiple regression and parallel multiple mediation analyses were conducted to investigate effects of the dimensions of ethnocentrism on consumer ethnocentrism.

Findings

Regression and mediation analyses, covarying age, education, gender, ethnicity and socio-economic status, showed that ethnocentric purity had a direct effect on consumer ethnocentrism, whereas ethnocentric devotion and exploitativeness had indirect effects, entirely mediated by nationalism. There were no significant effects of the other dimensions of ethnocentrism, ethnic ingroup positivity, national ingroup positivity or prejudice against foreigners. In addition, two demographic variables (white/Anglo Americans and lower socio-economic status) had a direct effect on consumer ethnocentrism, whereas three other variables (gender, education and age) did not.

Originality/value

This study is first to explore how the dimensions of ethnocentrism relate to consumer ethnocentrism. Although consumer ethnocentrism has often been linked to ethnocentrism, the relationship has never been explicitly studied. Ethnocentrism, defined as ethnic group self-centeredness and self-importance, in which the main role is to ensure ethnic group strength and survival, plays a substantial but mainly indirect role via nationalism in consumer ethnocentrism. This study shows that both direct and indirect processes concerned with ethnic groups play a substantial role in the development of consumer ethnocentrism. Implications of the findings for consumer ethnocentrism and global consumer culture are discussed.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

The author would like to thank Victoria Thomas for her very useful comments on a previous version of the manuscript.

Citation

Bizumic, B. (2019), "Effects of the dimensions of ethnocentrism on consumer ethnocentrism: An examination of multiple mediators", International Marketing Review, Vol. 36 No. 5, pp. 748-770. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMR-04-2018-0147

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2018, Emerald Publishing Limited

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